What is the Most Common Type of Steel Deck Used in Commercial Buildings

Steel decking is a common choice for many commercial and industrial buildings due to its strength, durability, and versatility. Steel decking is used in a variety of building applications, including floors, roofs, walls, and ceilings. It is also used to support heavy loads and provide a stable platform for other building materials such as insulation and concrete. When selecting steel decking for a commercial building, there are three main types to choose from: trapezoidal steel deck, re-entrant steel deck, and flat profile. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to understand the differences between them before making a selection.

Trapezoidal steel deck

The most common type of steel decking used in commercial buildings is the trapezoidal steel deck. Trapezoidal steel deck is a type of metal decking that consists of steel sheets that are formed and welded together to form a grid-like structure. Trapezoidal steel deck provide strength and stiffness and also allow for air circulation, which is important for ventilation and cooling. Trapezoidal steel decking is strong and durable, making it a popular choice for many commercial buildings.

Trapezoidal steel deck has many different sizes, Solideck has SD76-915, SD51-915, SD51-750, SD76-600, SD76-690, SD51-760, SD38-915, SD35-750, etc. These decking depths are different, The rib spacing is different, the cross-section properties are also different, and the functions and functions used in commercial buildings are different.

Trapezoidal steel deck

Advantages of Trapezoidal steel decks

  1. There are many categories. With shallow and deep deck options, specifiers and engineers can choose the best combination of profile depth, spanning capability and structural strength to suit the project.
  2. Low steel consumption. Due to the nature of the section of the Trapezoidal steel deck, the Trapezoidal steel deck uses a lower amount of steel to display a larger moment of inertia, so that the Trapezoidal steel deck has a higher cost efficiency of the amount of steel used.
  3. It can provide a large unsupported span. A deep Trapezoidal steel deck such as SD76-915 can provide a large unsupported span. When the floor thickness is 150mm, SD76-915 can provide a maximum unsupported span of 4.4m.

Disadvantages of Trapezoidal steel decks

  1. The floor thickness of the Trapezoidal steel deck is relatively thick, generally not less than 150mm. The dead load of the floor is increased, and the net height of the building is also affected.
  2. Most of the Trapezoidal steel decks are steel form decking, which can only be used as Non–composite floors. It is necessary to add stress reinforcement at the bottom of the floor, which also increases the cost to a certain extent.
  3. The fire-resistant effect of Trapezoidal steel deck is poor. If it reaches a certain fire-resistant aging, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the floor slab and increase the fire-resistant steel bars.

Re-entrant steel deck

The re-entrant steel deck is very suitable for use in commercial buildings.In general, the rib height of the board is about 2 inches, and the rib distance is between 100-200mm, which has a certain suspension function.Solideck has SD53-600, SD51-760 two deck types. Among them, the SD53-600 was used in the University of Daka, and the SD51-760 was applied to Macau Airport Engineering.

re-entrant steel deck

Advantages of Re-Entrat Steel Deck

  1. The thickness of the floor is relatively thin. According to the BS specification, the total thickness of the Re-Entrant Steel DECK combination of the floor can not only meet the floor structure requirements, but also meet the fire resistance requirements of 1.5h;
  2. Can be used as part of the combined floor. The ribs of the RE-Entrant Steel Deck can be partly replaced by the reinforcement of the bottom of the floor and can provide a certain load. The effective thickness of the entire board will be more effective and provide greater effective stiffness.
  3. Equipped with suspension pendants. Due to the shape of its own board, a suspension pendant can be equipped in the later stage. It is a gospel for later decoration and equipment installation.

Disadvantages of Trapezoidal steel decks

Its disadvantage is that due to the small depth, the unsupported span that can be achieved is small.

Flat profile

Flat Profile is a new type of steel deck. The vertical ribs of this steel deck are vertically vertical and the horizontal plates, and the two adjacent vertical ribs are bite mechanically. It retains the advantages of Re-Entrant Steel Deck and overcomes the shortcomings of Re-Entrant Steel Deck, so it has emerged in commercial buildings. There are SD65-555, SD65-510, SD66-720, SD46-600, etc.

flat profile

Advantages of Flat Profile

  1. Can provide longer supportless span.The valid height of the floor is
    relatively high, and the effective stiffness .of the floor is provided.
  2. Can be used as a Composite floor.The vertical rib can replace the
    reinforced steel bars at the bottom of the floor, which can form a
    Composite floor with concrete;
  3. Beautiful and flat bottom effect.The bottom of the Flat Profile is
    flat, and the bottom effect is very beautiful
  4. Equipped with suspension pendants.Flat Profile retains the
    suspension function of Re-Entrant Steel Deck, which can provide
    convenience for equipment and decoration.

Disadvantages of Flat Profile

The only disadvantage is that because the steel volume is relatively large, the price is relatively high.